Multi-beamforming for 3D ultrasonic imaging

This work describes the development of a new 3D ultrasonic imaging method that combines different beamforming techniques (Phased Array -PAand Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique -SAFT-). The proposed methodology uses a silicone mask along the x-axis to produce a wide beam in the array width direction (y-axis). Then, a coherent-spatial composition of several phased array B-scan images is implemented to get the voxels. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction is performed by SAFT techniques along the y-axis, taking advantage of the broad beam produced by the mask and of the spatial position of samples on each B-mode image. This approach simplifies both, the hardware and the algorithms required for 3D reconstruction, giving a quantitative high quality volumetric image in nearly real time. The performance of this technique was analyzed using a simple needle phantom and an aluminum block with holes. Both inspections were done in a degassed water bath.